Scoliosis
A condition in which the spine curves abnormally from side to side. Unlike poor posture, these curves cannot be corrected simply by learning to stand up straight. On an X ray, the spine of a child with scoliosis looks more like an “S” or a “C” than a straight line. Sometimes the spinal bones in a child with scoliosis may rotate slightly, making the child’s waist or shoulders appear uneven.
Scoliosis affects about two percent of the population and tends to run in families. If someone in a family has scoliosis, the likelihood of another child having the condition is about 20 percent. The primary age of onset for this condition is between 10 and 15 years of age, occurring more often in girls.
Fortunately, four out of five children with scoliosis have curves of less than 20 degrees, which are barely noticeable to the untrained eye and are no cause for concern, provided they show no sign of further progression. However, in growing children and adolescents, mild curvatures can worsen quite rapidly (10 degrees or more in a few months). Therefore, for this age group, frequent checkups are important.
Cause
Most cases of childhood scoliosis are “idiopathic,” which means the cause is unknown. Scoliosis usually develops in middle or late childhood, before puberty, and is seen more often in girls than boys. Although scoliosis can occur in children with diseases such as CEREBRAL PALSY, MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, or SPINA BIFIDA, most scoliosis is found in otherwise healthy youngsters.
Symptoms
Scoliosis can go unnoticed in a child because it is rarely painful in the early years. Symptoms begin to appear when a child is about eight years of age and include:
• uneven shoulders
• prominent shoulder blade or shoulder blades
• uneven waist
• elevated hips
• leaning to one side
Treatment
Treatment is different for every child and depends on a variety of factors, including the history of scoliosis in the family, the age at which the curve began, the curve’s location, and its severity. Most spine curves in children with scoliosis remain small and need only to be watched by a doctor for any sign of worsening. If a curve does worsen, a brace can be used to prevent it from getting worse. Children undergoing treatment with braces can continue to participate in the full range of physical and social activities.
Electrical muscle stimulation, exercise programs, and manipulation have not been found to improve scoliosis. If a curve is severe when first diagnosed or if treatment with a brace does not control the curve, surgery may be necessary. In these cases, surgery has been found to be a highly effective and safe treatment.
Scoliosis affects about two percent of the population and tends to run in families. If someone in a family has scoliosis, the likelihood of another child having the condition is about 20 percent. The primary age of onset for this condition is between 10 and 15 years of age, occurring more often in girls.
Fortunately, four out of five children with scoliosis have curves of less than 20 degrees, which are barely noticeable to the untrained eye and are no cause for concern, provided they show no sign of further progression. However, in growing children and adolescents, mild curvatures can worsen quite rapidly (10 degrees or more in a few months). Therefore, for this age group, frequent checkups are important.
Cause
Most cases of childhood scoliosis are “idiopathic,” which means the cause is unknown. Scoliosis usually develops in middle or late childhood, before puberty, and is seen more often in girls than boys. Although scoliosis can occur in children with diseases such as CEREBRAL PALSY, MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, or SPINA BIFIDA, most scoliosis is found in otherwise healthy youngsters.
Symptoms
Scoliosis can go unnoticed in a child because it is rarely painful in the early years. Symptoms begin to appear when a child is about eight years of age and include:
• uneven shoulders
• prominent shoulder blade or shoulder blades
• uneven waist
• elevated hips
• leaning to one side
Treatment
Treatment is different for every child and depends on a variety of factors, including the history of scoliosis in the family, the age at which the curve began, the curve’s location, and its severity. Most spine curves in children with scoliosis remain small and need only to be watched by a doctor for any sign of worsening. If a curve does worsen, a brace can be used to prevent it from getting worse. Children undergoing treatment with braces can continue to participate in the full range of physical and social activities.
Electrical muscle stimulation, exercise programs, and manipulation have not been found to improve scoliosis. If a curve is severe when first diagnosed or if treatment with a brace does not control the curve, surgery may be necessary. In these cases, surgery has been found to be a highly effective and safe treatment.
Posted in Health and Wellness
Comments (3)
wow nice post you got here… its been a while since I last dropped by…
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Thanks for the details.I’ve got a friend with Scolio and always wondered what was the cause.
The disease for children must be early detection, early treatment, because it will affect the development of the child’s heart.We must attach importance to parents.
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